PHOTO: Brody Stapel at his farm with former Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue A southeastern Wisconsin farmer has found success by bringing back home milk delivery. Brody Stapel and his family operate Double Dutch Dairy near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield they’ve been delivering milk in glass bottles to home clients along with eggs, meat,…… read more
Category Archives: Ag News
Wisconsin State Fair dairy product winners
Team Emmi Roth – Monroe was named the Grand Master Cheesemaker at the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction on Thursday, August 7. Roth Grand Cru® Original Wheel was sold for $6,300 to Old World Creamery. Photo courtesy Wisconsin State Fair The Dairy State’s State Fair wrapped up just outside of Milwaukee…… read more
Heavy weekend rains affected some Wisconsin crops
The heavy rainfall that caused flooding in southern Wisconsin and forced the early closing of the Wisconsin State Fair also impacted some crops. Mark Hoffmann raises corn and soybeans near Whitewater, about 20 miles southwest of Milwaukee. He tells Brownfield the rainfall amounts varied across the region, and the crops are so tall you don’t…… read more
Wisconsin State Fair ends early
Heavy weekend rain forced Wisconsin State Fair officials to shut down early. Rainfall exceeded ten inches in several areas of southeastern Wisconsin Saturday, causing flooding in the greater Milwaukee area including State Fair Park, making it challenging for people and animals. Fair officials closed the fair early Saturday and decided not to reopen for the…… read more
Cover crop research project continues in Wisconsin
Researchers are studying several cover crop varieties and how farmers are using them. Dan Marzu with the University of Wisconsin Extension tells Brownfield the study is in collaboration with the Michael Fields Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center. “We send out an extensive survey to these participating farmers. They fill…… read more
Wisconsin Raised program promotes local pork purchases
The Wisconsin Pork Association has launched a program to help consumers connect with local producers. Keri Retallick tells Brownfield the Wisconsin Raised program works with farmers and in-state meat processors to sell more locally-grown pork products. She says the COVID pandemic amplified local demand, and WPA wants to grow that even more. “So now we’re…… read more
Alpacas give Wisconsin farmer a unique business model
A former educator and dairy farmer has found his niche in fiber and ag tourism. Kevin Stoer started raising alpacas about thirty years ago on a former dairy farm near Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He says the alpaca fleece is cut once a year, usually in May, and that fiber is very useful for creating warm…… read more
Transition planning can be complicated
An agricultural law expert says farm transition planning can be difficult and complicated. Will McKinley with the Menn Law Firm tells Brownfield farm transition can be especially challenging for dairy farms, and he says farm families need good legal counsel, tax counsel, and financial counsel to avoid costly mistakes. McKinley says depending on how the…… read more
Governor’s Blue Ribbon Auction rewards Wisconsin fair exhibitors
Youth exhibitors at the Wisconsin State Fair benefited from their hard work at Wednesday’s Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction. The annual event, hosted by the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation and Wisconsin State Fair raised $381,350. The livestock that brought in the highest bids were the Grand Champion Crossbred Steer exhibited by Josie Lorentz…… read more
Dealer says tariffs are affecting machinery sales
A dealer says tariffs have definitely impacted the tractor and outdoor power equipment market. Darrell Stetzer with Central Wisconsin Powersports tells Brownfield tariffs on foreign parts and machinery have shaken up equipment sales. “That has changed the market completely for the last couple of months for us.” Stetzer says the increased tariffs have driven consumers…… read more